PRANZA (Migration)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered the case of PRANZA, an applicant seeking a Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) visa, Subclass 485, in the Graduate Work stream. The dispute centred on whether the applicant met the primary criteria for this visa, specifically concerning the relationship between their qualifications and their nominated occupation.

The Tribunal was required to determine two key issues. Firstly, whether the applicant satisfied the 'Australian study requirement' within the six months immediately preceding their visa application. Secondly, and crucially, whether each degree, diploma, or trade qualification used to satisfy this requirement was 'closely related' to the applicant's nominated skilled occupation, which was registered nurse.

The Tribunal found that while the applicant's Bachelor of Nursing qualification was closely related to the nominated occupation, it was not completed within the relevant six-month period. Consequently, the applicant relied on an Advanced Diploma of Accounting, completed in June 2016, to meet the Australian study requirement. However, the Tribunal concluded that this accounting qualification was not closely related to the nominated occupation of registered nurse. As the applicant failed to satisfy this essential criterion, the Tribunal affirmed the decision not to grant the visa.